Comments on: Learn the ABCs of ticks

By: Kelley Schreiber

Kelley Schreiber — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 02:12:53 +0000

Hi Doris,

Thank you for your note. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a potentially fatal disease caused by infection with the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii. This organism is transmitted by several different ticks, including the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni), and the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus). It is NOT transmitted by the ticks responsible for Lyme disease transmission (the black-legged or deer tick). Serologic testing is recommended for diagnosing RMSF. Further information can be found in our Mayo Medical Laboratories catalog at http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Overview/83679.

In comparison, Rheumatic fever is a complication of infection with the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes which causes “strep throat.” The two diseases are not related to one another.

By: Kelley Schreiber

Kelley Schreiber — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 18:36:22 +0000

Hi Thomas,

Please click on the “Download a PDF Version” at the top of the page to print it. Thank you!

By: Thomas Mansfield

Thomas Mansfield — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 15:20:21 +0000

I would like to forward this specific message to a Grandson a Nephew a Daughter and a Son.. how may I do so? Do I have to download a PDF first??

Thank you.

By: Pete Schultz

Pete Schultz — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 03:10:19 +0000

Here is a fast way to remove ticks: a small vial or bottle of household ammonia opened and the open mouth of the vial/bottle placed over the tick will cause the tick to extract itself very quickly. And there is no chance of squeezing the tick too hard. Then wash the area with clean soap and water if available. Just be careful with the ammonia.

By: doris weaver

doris weaver — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 17:37:55 +0000

Good info, thanks. Which tick causes Rocky Mtn spotted fever? Is that the same as rheumatic fever? What are the symptoms?

By: FRANK W. GOUGH

FRANK W. GOUGH — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 17:28:15 +0000

Information is excellent. As a retired game warden I had the misfortune of becoming very ill after two separate tick encounters. The one incident I remember was coming in contact with a black bear that had been killed during the summer months. I rubbed against the animal and then saw numerous ticks crawling on my clothing. Soon after I became ill. So, be careful when coming in contact with wild and domesticated animals during all seasons of the year.

By: steveaustin

steveaustin — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 01:25:31 +0000

If you do not want to keep the tick for analysis, why kill it? What is the increase in the probability that you will get a second bite from the same tick if you release it back to the 100,000 living in your woods? Basically there is no practical increase!

It seems to me that killing the tick is an act of human emotion–revenge. No living thing is “bad” although it may at times be bad for you.

Possibly we need to reevaluate our relationship and connectiveness to the rest of life. There is a good chance that our missteps with the environment caused the imbalances that created the present “tick problem” which maybe more correctly named the human problem.

By: ILVA BRAZIL

ILVA BRAZIL — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 19:08:10 +0000

Thanks for the information. It is of great use to anyone who reads it.
Keep up the good work.

By: Kelley Schreiber

Kelley Schreiber — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 15:11:49 +0000

Thank you for your comments. These flashcards are meant as a general guidelines for dealing with ticks in general and are not specific for Lyme disease. They are based on the recommendations put forth by the CDC. As we mention in our cards, an alternative to flushing the tick down the toilet is submerge it in alcohol or wrap it in tape. It can then be brought to a physician and sent to a lab for examination.

By: Janie

Janie — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 23:33:00 +0000

Great flash cards, many thanks. I’ve found a few ticks on grandkids but fingers crossed not myself yet